Short Documentary: Elmina's Fishermen Stunning shot!
For those interested in seeing a short documentary on Elmina's Fishermen, please see the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2sAtNqROdE&feature=plcp
"...death has a shadow, and spirits leave a footprint." Some fine prose in this blog, and gorgeous photographs as well. I can see why the Aragum Bay Sunset picture won a TNT photography contest, it is truly beautiful! Your doodling demonstrates that you are indeed a woman of many talents :-)
Thanks for telling about your visit to Xiahe... I tried to visit there with my Mom, sister and son in 2009, but it was closed by the Chinese because the monks were rioting. The reason we wanted to visit was because my parents were married there in 1949, and I wanted to see it with my Mom. Instead we visited Minxian, where they lived for five months before evacuating China. You can read about these experiences in my blogs if you find the time. I'm looking forward to each new blog you write.
Hi Bob, so glad you're enjoying the blogs. I hope you and your family might be able to go back to Xiahe again someday, it really is such an amazing place, especially if you have a family history there. Shame so much of Minxian had been rebuilt when you went to visit, that always seems to be the way with China, hey?
No I understand completely, I really feel in love with that book and the stories, and I agree that nothing can ever change the great work he's done in the past. The thing I think that made me feel really just a bit disillusioned was when I heard that he uses CAI donations to fund his book tours (which granted raises awareness for his cause), but that of the millions of dollars he has made off of the book, very little of it has went to the CAI. At the very least, I wish he would not use CAI money to fund tours which enhance his private wealth. I fully understand him wanting comfort for his family after all their years of hardship, but that much comfort just doesn't sound to me like the Greg Mortenson I read about. I wish he would have come out and addressed some of those allegations rather than refusing to speak with 60 Minutes. I also understand that the CAI is a business, but it only needs to make money to continue it's work and pay the board members, staff and Greg himself. It is not a business that is responsible to shareholders, however, so it's not as if they have to continually post quarterly gains of x% either.
Either way, I came to the point originally because I enjoyed your blog. I really identified with the way you spoke about the insensitivity of many of the tourists, but that feeling in the back of your mind that "maybe we are part of that same problem," or at least that is how I read it. I hope you continue writing because people are obviously enjoying what you do. Take care.
Great Stories I really enjoyed reading your story about the orphanages. We taught English at a few in Thailand and the kids really were amazing.
I couldn't help but notice you read three cups of tea. Have you heard all of the news about Greg after the Sixty Minutes story broke. It was such a major let down to find out that much of the book was untrue - and how much money and fame have changed him. I was so sad when I heard about it.
Glad you enjoyed it, I loved Thailand, I\'d love to go back and do some teaching over there sometime. I have heard of the controversy over the book, and maybe I\'m trying to bury my head in the sand, but it doesn\'t change my feelings towards what he\'s done. I\'m not that fussed if the book wasn\'t 100% accurate, some of my favourite books (like Shantaram) were partially fictional, but the essence of the story is still true. I don\'t like that he supposedly bad mouthed various people and tribes that actually apparently treated him very well, and it would be nice to think that every penny of the donations all went directly to the schools, but that\'s just not feasible... People seem to forget that despite being a charity, the CAI is also a business, and it has to make profit to continue running. I\'ve also never found an article that actually goes into any detail about where he\'s supposed to be spending all the money he\'s accused of embezzling, it\'s always such wishy washy accusations without any numbers attached, that always leave me with the feeling that the so-called investigators are grasping at straws, and that the vast, vast majority of the money DOES go towards the work the CAI does in Central Asia, whether that be directly to building schools, or building up the company and increasing their productivity in the areas.
I, personally, would just expect him to use a small portion of his money to support his family, and give them the best he can, especially considering how much of the time he\'s away and how hard he works, I know I would.
People are also so keen to point out that about 15 schools that were built are empty and not receiving funds... Well... What about the other 100+ that are? Even Krakauer who wrote the \'3 cups of deceit\' book admits there are uncountable women and children who have benefitted from his work.
Sorry this has turned into a bit of an essay, but I always feel that people (not you- journalists and other writers and such) so enjoy taking down people who are well thought of, the media love a fall from grace, and everybody seems so happy to join the mob and turn against him. Essentially: I do not feel that anything that\'s been said about him changes the amazing work he\'s dedicated himself to.
But if you (or any one else reading!) have any articles or whatnot that you think I should read, that give more facts and less suggestions, that would change my mind, I\'d be really interested to read them. :)
"I love new places..." So do I...you'll love China...the Silk Road that you appear to be travelling...looking forward to hearing where you go...and how much you embrace the culture and the people.
Ghana, Bawjiase As a fellow volunteer I can only thank you for taking me back, by reading your blogg, to the most beautifull place and people I have ever met.
Wishing you many more awsome experiances!
Take care
The crazy German :-)
I see you are doing some catching up... for a trip you probably finished some time ago. I look forward to your completing the blogs of your journey as you are traveling along the SIlk Road, something I have always dreamed of doing. What has stopped me is the unknown; but by overlanding you seemed to hit on a solution where you are traveling in a group and can count on the organizers to get you where you're supposed to be. Please provide some highlights about the overlanding experience; not just what you see and do beyond the truck. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment! I really enjoy overlanding; before I gave it a try I thought it might be a bit touristy for me, and stop me from really getting to grips with the places and the people, but it can actually do the opposite, if you want it to... Like any way of travelling, you get out of it what you put in. I also love being able to camp and cook along the way and getting to go to such remote places that can be near on impossible to get to on your own. I'll make sure the next blog will have a few more details about day to day truck life, it's a good one for it- four days desert camping under the stars... Heaven :)
YOU ARE DESTINED FOR TRAVELBLOG GREATNESS One of the best blogs I have read on Travelblog...insightful...profound...poignant...beautifully written...photos of someone with a good eye...I'lm just a newcomer too...but I'll promote you on Travelblog as best I can...keep up the quality of your work.
Dave, that's so nice of you, thank you so much for such lovely words, they really mean a lot. I'll do my best to keep them coming regularly and (hopefully) keep them interesting too! Thanks again :)
Photography Etiquette A very interesting and insightful blog. I was particularly drawn to your quote about visitors "shoving their wide angle lenses in peoples faces". I witnessed the same thing during prayer time at a temple in Myanmar recently and it was appalling to see the behaviour of some fellow travellers. It is no wonder some countries perceive Caucasians as arrogant with no regard for local customs or sensitivities. Keep up the great blogs!
I know, wherever I go I try to be extra aware and mindful of my behavior- especially in places that aren't so well travelled, just to try and balance out the negative actions of so many ignorant tourists and travellers now... Myanmar's high on my to-go list, I've heard great things. Thanks for the kind comments Shane, you seem to have even itchier feet than me, I think I'll be spending the next few hours reading through some of your blogs too...
NataĊĦa Cordeaux
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Short Documentary: Elmina's Fishermen
Stunning shot! For those interested in seeing a short documentary on Elmina's Fishermen, please see the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2sAtNqROdE&feature=plcp